Reading those five words shocked me to the core. Outside of my immediate family, there’s probably no one who has had a greater influence over my life.

Starting with the Apple II+ plus when I was in 7th grade and lasted me through high school. I spent hours learning how to program Applesoft BASIC. Writing my own Adventure program and then later re-designing an re-writing a gradebook program for one of my high-school teachers. Looking back, that gradebook program was one the early instances of open source software, although it was distributed on 5.25” floppy disks rather than this magically thing called the Internet. That introduction to computers has formed the basis of my adult life.
In college, it was my Apple IIgs on which I wrote the vast majority of my papers. As well as logging into the campus network on a 2400 baud modem. It was also the Next computer for my C Progamming Language class while I was sophomore.

Then as I left college, I left Apple behind as well for a few years. The Apple computers were donated to local schools and I went over to the dark side of Windows. Early last decade, I came back to the fold. First it was an iPod Shuffle, then an iPod Classic, and followed by a Nano as well. Over time, I changed my music buying habits from CDs to digital music and using the iTunes store to find interesting podcasts. In 2009, I joined the smartphone crowed with the iPhone and not too long after that it was the iPad. During this same time, it was also the Pixar movies that entertained me and, especially, my son.

Back at school now, I’ve made the iPad an indispensable part of my workflow. Reading and annotating PDFs of research papers, eBooks, mind mapping, eMail, calendar, to-do lists, newspapers, note-taking, presentation clock, and, yes, movies & games are all part of my daily life.

Steve Jobs’ influence on modern society is unparalleled. Very few people have had the impact he’s had in one area, but he has substantially impacted three formally distinct industry: computers, media (music and movies), and the cellular industry.

I and the rest of the world will sorely miss his presence in our lives. I thank him for his vision and drive.

Apple’s Remembrance Page

New York Times Obituary

Recently, Amazon and Overdrive finally came through with a long-promised integration of being able to read library books on the Kindle. (Overdrive’s Press Release)

While the experience is fairly seamless from a user perspective, I wondered how Amazon was going to make money from the entire process. (Remember, they aren’t a charity.)

I got the answer today in my e-mail:

I have no idea how many people will purchase a title, but I’m guessing that the conversion rate will be more than enough to make the development efforts pay for themselves. The development efforts have also been mitigated through other projects (textbook rentals, loaning books to friends). Amazon also has a nice little threat there – unless you purchase a book, you’ll lose your notes. Additionally, Amazon should sell more Kindles from those resisting the purchase due to the unavailability of library books.

The New York Times has finally announced their digital subscription plans.

At $5.00 per week, is it worth the cost to read the New York times? $260 is quite a bit of money to pay annually to read a paper, even if its content is some of the best in the United States. Others have been paying $2.00 per week for online access to the Wall Street Journal.

Honestly, I see myself just reading the Washington Post and USA Today more than I have in the past. I can’t justify the cost for the New York Times, especially given other alternatives in the marketplace. It will be interesting to see how other content providers will react. Consumers have been getting a free-ride from online newspaper for the past 15 years. That era may be coming to a close.

To my financial institution for X’ing out part of the credit card account number on the account statement.

Unfortunately, they left the full account number down below.

Normally, I don’t run full virus scans on my computer as I find them too resource intensive and useless. However, today I let McAfee finish its scan before I disabled the “feature again”

So Barnes and Noble’s iPhone/iPad app for the Nook is a malicious software….. hmmm….

It’s hard to believe that its been two months since I’ve lasted posted.

Grad school has kept me busy, but it’s been enjoyable. What I’ve come to realize over the past week is that I’ve dropped the editing of my photos from over the summer and creating a diary of the trip.

The impetus for the thought – Ken Burns’ series on the National Parks. Another outstanding series from him. I love watching the imagery and the narrative on the background stories behind the parks. You have to shake your head and wonder why the citizens of Wyoming didn’t want to protect this –

Oxbow Bend at Sunset

One of the bands my wife and I heard about 15 month ago or so is “The Rescues”. Great writing and harmonies. Just saw a deal where they are giving their music away for whatever your willing to pay for it or by telling 5 of your friends. I already own their album, but I really think people should take a moment to check out their music.

http://www.therescues.com/

I’ve recently started to use Twitter and I keep getting questions from friends as to why…

So here are the things I like about Twitter -

• Ability to follow “leaders” in a given field. For example, during the Tour de France, I can see quick updates from Lance Armstrong, Levi Leipheimer, and many other direct participants in the race. Within photography, Scott Kelby, Joe McNally, their assistants, and many more leaders and influencers post worthwhile things to read on a regular basis.
• Ability to send those leaders messages directly. They then have the opportunity to read/scan “fan” email very quickly. They can create a community without having to involve others
• Dynamic creation of communities such as during the 2nd Annual Worldwide Photowalk, where participants can post related messages by simply adding a special “tag” to their messages(tweets).
• Having a character limit of 140 characters forces messages to be short and to the point.
• Ability for “news” to be reported first from the masses of users around the globe. Remember the photo from the US Airways crash in early 2009? Came from Twitter first

Here’s what intrigues me and I’d like to research -

• How communities are created
• How trends spread
• Determining a person’s interests from whom they follow and the content of their posts
• Figuring out the degrees of separation within the Twitter community as a whole. (ie, the Kevin Bacon game)

And, yes, there are things that I really don’t like -

• Individuals who post inane things like “Heading to the post office”, “going on a photowalk”, “eating dinner with the family”, etc. If you’re message isn’t going to be have value or having meaning to others than don’t post it.
• Individuals who take advantage of communities to sell their products or direct traffic to their sites/blogs

Of course, Letterman always has his say….

Update (25 July 2009): Twitter posted Twitter 101 for Business this past week.

My take on Hopper

Originally uploaded by irishwildcat

One of my favorite artists.

I was talking a look at power adapters for my phone and laptop from iGo. I’ve had one of their adapters for over 3 years and my wife has had one even longer. Although my model is no longer available, I can still buy tips and accessories, which is very good. The only real complaint I’ve had over the years is that Radio Shack, who is one of their primary distributors, does no sell laptop tips in their stores.

As I was leaving the page, a little chat window came up with the following conversation:
Megan Says: Hey wait! We hate to see you go. So just this once we’d like to offer you 10% OFF for making your purchase today at iGo.com! CLICK HERE to take advantage of this amazing offer!
Megan Says: Just type ‘HI’ or ‘Hello’ in the space below to let me know you are there.
Megan Says: From notebooks to mobile phones to digital cameras and mp3 devices…iGo charges them ALL!
Megan Says: Whenever you are ready, just type ‘HI’ or ‘HELLO’ and we can get started…
You: Hi
Megan Says: Hi, thanks for chatting with me today… CLICK HERE to take advantage of this amazing offer!
Megan Says: Power all of your electronics with ONE iGo adapter!
Megan Says: Our patented tip technology allows a single iGo adapter to rapidly charge all your gadgets using interchangeable tips. These tips automatically configure to ensure each device gets the precise amount of power it requires.
Megan Says: Don’t wait any longer and remember when you order today you will receive 10% OFF! CLICK HERE to take advantage of this amazing offer!
You: I’ve got an old one already. Was looking at what I needed to do to update for a dell studio 1535 as well as an iPhone.
Megan Says: We’d like to offer you 10% OFF for making your purchase today at iGo.com! CLICK HERE to take advantage of this amazing offer!

Megan – thanks for answering my question. You were too kind.

I decided to try this again to see what would happen …

Rachel Says: Hey! CLICK HERE to receive 10% OFF with your order right now!
Rachel Says: Just type ‘HI’ or ‘Hello’ in the space below to let me know you are there.
You: Hi
You: How is your day, Rachel?
Rachel Says: This amazing offer is only available through this chat and for a limited time. CLICK HERE to take advantage of this deal.
Rachel Says: Hi, thanks for chatting with me today… CLICK HERE to take advantage of this amazing offer!
Rachel Says: Power all of your electronics with ONE iGo adapter!
You: Rachel, does the iGo dual power accessory work with the Juice 70?
Rachel Says: Our patented tip technology allows a single iGo adapter to rapidly charge all your gadgets using interchangeable tips. These tips automatically configure to ensure each device gets the precise amount of power it requires.
Rachel Says: We’d like to offer you 10% OFF for making your purchase today at iGo.com! CLICK HERE to take advantage of this amazing offer!
Rachel Says: Don’t wait any longer and remember when you order today you will receive 10% OFF! CLICK HERE to take advantage of this amazing offer!
You: What tip would you recommend for an iPhone?
Rachel Says: We’d like to offer you 10% OFF for making your purchase today at iGo.com! CLICK HERE to take advantage of this amazing offer!
You: Is that your picture on the right side on the window, here?
You: you have lovely hair and beautiful eyes.
Rachel Says: I’m sorry, I do not have information on all our products, I just have the ability to offer you this discount. For more questions or information, please call us at (888) 205 0093 or CLICK HERE to contact customer service.
Rachel Says: Keep in mind that if you order right now you will receive 10% OFF! CLICK HERE at checkout to take advantage of this amazing offer!
You: Are you really there?
Rachel Says: I’m still here. what can I help you wth?

And then one more conversation with Megan -
Megan Says: Hey wait! We hate to see you go. So just this once we’d like to offer you 10% OFF for making your purchase today at iGo.com! CLICK HERE to take advantage of this amazing offer!
You: Are you really there?
Megan Says: I’m still here. what can I help you wth?
You: what tip do I need with an iPhone
Megan Says: I’m sorry, I do not have information on all our products, I just have the ability to offer you this discount. For more questions or information, please call us at (888) 205 0093 or CLICK HERE to contact customer service.
You: ok. Thank you.
You: Have a good day.
Megan Says: This amazing offer is only available through this chat and for a limited time. CLICK HERE to take advantage of this deal.
Megan Says: Okay great. CLICK HERE to take advantage of this amazing offer!
You: would you like to go to dinner, tonight?
Megan Says: Keep in mind that if you order right now you will receive 10% OFF! CLICK HERE at checkout to take advantage of this amazing offer!
You: I take it, that’s a no?
Megan Says: Remember, this offer for 10% OFF is available through this chat only and for a limited time. It may not be available tomorrow. CLICK HERE to take advantage of this amazing offer!

Their website does have a timing mechanism so you can’t experience chat within x minutes of the last one. However, if you are going to provide this functionality, make it so a real human that can jump in to the conversation and provide real customer service. (Or, find a really good AI conversation tool.) There is a nice delay on the agent conversations so that it appears like someone is actually typing.